U.S. patent number 7,303,142 [Application Number 10/991,417] was granted by the patent office on 2007-12-04 for novelty waterfall operatable based upon user interaction.
Invention is credited to J. Robert Gluck.
United States Patent |
7,303,142 |
Gluck |
December 4, 2007 |
Novelty waterfall operatable based upon user interaction
Abstract
A novelty waterfall that includes at least one water flow
surface, a pump, and a sensor that detects a change of presence of
an item. The novelty waterfall further includes a controller that
is structured and arranged to operate the pump at least when the
sensor detects the change of presence of the item. The instant
abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in
this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention
in any way.
Inventors: |
Gluck; J. Robert (Lawrence,
NY) |
Family
ID: |
36460064 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/991,417 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060108437 A1 |
May 25, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/12; 239/16;
239/17; 239/289; 239/67; 239/69; 40/406 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
17/08 (20130101); B05B 17/085 (20130101); B05B
12/08 (20130101); B05B 12/122 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
17/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;239/16-23,67,69,289,12
;307/116,119 ;401/131 ;40/406,407 ;428/13 ;472/128 ;D23/201 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ganey; Steven J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenblum & Bernstein,
P.L.C.
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A novelty waterfall comprising: at least one water flow surface;
a pump; a sensor that detects a change of presence of an office
product; and a controller that is structured and arranged to
operate the pump at least when the sensor detects the change of
presence of the office product.
2. The novelty waterfall according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is
a first switch and the first switch is one of opened or closed to
detect the change of presence of the office product.
3. The novelty waterfall according to claim 2 further comprising: a
pen holder, wherein the first switch is in the pen holder and the
change of presence of the office product is detected when the first
switch is one of opened or closed when a user one of removes or
places the office product comprising a pen in the pen holder.
4. The novelty waterfall according to claim 2 further comprising: a
water outlet; a conduit that is configured to allow water to flow
to the top of the waterfall and out of the water outlet; a motor
associated with the pump that pumps water through the conduit; and
a water inlet that allows water to enter from the at least one
surface to provide water to the pump.
5. The novelty waterfall according to claim 3 further comprising: a
second switch, wherein when the second switch is in a first
position, the waterfall operates when the sensor detects the change
of presence of the office product.
6. The novelty waterfall according to claim 5 wherein when the
second switch is in a second position the waterfall does not
operate.
7. The novelty waterfall according to claim 6 wherein the second
switch comprises a third position and when the second switch is in
the third position, the waterfall operates continuously.
8. The novelty waterfall according to claim 4 wherein the
controller is structured and arranged to connect the pump and motor
to a power source.
9. The novelty waterfall according to claim 1 wherein the
controller causes water to flow across the at least one surface for
a predetermined time after the sensor detects the change of
presence.
10. The novelty waterfall according to claim 1 wherein the
controller comprises an electrical circuit.
11. The novelty waterfall according to claim 1 further comprising:
a business card holder.
12. A novelty waterfall comprising: at least one water flow
surface; a water outlet; a conduit configured so that water flows
up to and out of the water outlet; a pump and motor that pumps
water through the conduit; a water inlet that allows water to enter
from the at least one surface to provide water to the pump; a
controller structured and arranged to operate the pump and motor
when there is user interaction; and a pen holder in which a first
switch is located in the pen holder and user interaction is sensed
when the first switch is one of opened or closed when a user one of
removes or places a pen in the pen holder.
13. The novelty waterfall according to claim 12 further comprising:
a second switch in which when the second switch is in a first
position, the waterfall operates when the sensor senses user
interaction, and when the second switch is in a second position the
waterfall does not operate.
14. The novelty waterfall according to claim 13 wherein the second
switch comprises a third position and when the second switch is in
the third position, the waterfall operates continuously.
15. The novelty waterfall according to claim 12 wherein the
controller is structured and arranged to connect the pump and motor
to a power source.
16. The novelty waterfall according to claim 12 wherein the
controller causes water to flow across the at least one surface for
a predetermined time after the sensor senses user interaction.
17. The novelty waterfall according to claim 12 wherein the
controller comprises an electrical circuit.
18. The novelty waterfall according to claim 12 further comprising:
a business card holder.
19. A method of operating a novelty waterfall comprising: one of
removing an office product from or placing an office product into a
receptacle coupled to the novelty waterfall; and operating the
novelty waterfall for a predetermined time in response to one of
removing or placing the office product.
20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising: sensing
when a first switch is one of opened or closed when a user removes
or places the office product into the receptacle, wherein the
office product is a pen and the receptacle is a pen holder.
21. A novelty waterfall operating according to the method of claim
19.
22. The novelty waterfall according to claim 1 wherein the at least
one water flow surface, the pump, the sensor that detects a change
of presence of an office product, and the controller that is
structured and arranged to operate the pump at least when the
sensor detects the change of presence of the office product
together comprise a unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novelty waterfall having an
operative feature that operates the waterfall based upon user
interaction with the waterfall. More specifically, the novelty
waterfall can include an additional feature, such as a pen
holder.
2. Discussion of Background Information
It is known to have a novelty waterfall that is configured to have
water flow across a surface, a series of rocks, or down a vertical
face. Such a waterfall creates a soothing sound, visual effect,
and/or environment. However, a typical conventional novelty
waterfall does not have any additional functionality other than the
water falling when the waterfall is powered and moreover a
conventional novelty waterfall will merely operate continuously
when operatively powered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a novelty waterfall that
includes a sensor that can determine when a user is interacting
with the waterfall. In response to the interaction with the
waterfall, the waterfall will be activated.
The operative feature is, in one aspect, associated with the pen
holder. Thus, the novelty waterfall can sense when a user interacts
with the waterfall by interaction with a pen in the pen holder. The
novelty waterfall subsequently operating in response to the user
interaction.
One aspect of the present invention includes a novelty waterfall
that includes at least one water flow surface, a pump, and a sensor
that detects a change of presence of an item. The novelty waterfall
further includes a controller that is structured and arranged to
operate the pump at least when the sensor detects the change of
presence of the item.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the sensor can be a
first switch and the first switch is one of opened or closed to
detect the change of presence of the item. The novelty waterfall
can further include a pen holder, and the first switch can be in
the pen holder and the change of presence of the item is detected
when the first switch is one of opened or closed when a user one of
removes or places a pen in the pen holder. Moreover, the novelty
waterfall can include a water outlet, a conduit that is configured
to allow water to flow to the top of the waterfall and out of the
water outlet, a motor associated with the pump that pumps water
through the conduit, and a water inlet that allows water to enter
from the at least one surface to provide water to the pump.
Furthermore, the novelty waterfall can include a second switch, and
when the second switch is in a first position, the waterfall
operates when the sensor detects the change of presence of the
item. Moreover, when the second switch is in a second position the
waterfall may not operate. Additionally, the second switch can
include a third position and when the second switch is in the third
position, the waterfall can operate continuously. Furthermore, the
controller can be structured and arranged to connect the pump and
motor to a power source. Moreover, the controller can cause water
to flow across the at least one surface for a predetermined time
after the sensor detects the change of presence. Additionally, the
controller can include an electrical circuit and a business card
holder.
Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a novelty
waterfall that includes at least one water flow surface, a water
outlet, a conduit configured so that water flows up to and out of
the water outlet, a pump and motor that pumps water through the
conduit. Moreover, the novelty waterfall includes a water inlet
that allows water to enter from the at least one surface to provide
water to the pump, a controller structured and arranged to operate
the pump and motor when there is user interaction, and a pen holder
in which a first switch is located in the pen holder and user
interaction is sensed when the first switch is one of opened or
closed when a user one of removes or places a pen in the pen
holder.
A further aspect of the novelty waterfall can include a second
switch in which when the second switch is in a first position, the
waterfall operates when the sensor senses user interaction, and
when the second switch is in a second position the waterfall does
not operate. Moreover, the second switch can include a third
position and when the second switch is in the third position, the
waterfall operates continuously. Additionally, the controller can
be structured and arranged to connect the pump and motor to a power
source. Furthermore, the controller can cause water to flow across
the at least one surface for a predetermined time after the sensor
senses user interaction. Moreover, the controller can include an
electrical circuit and can include a business card holder.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of
operating a novelty waterfall that includes one of removing an item
from or placing an item into a receptacle coupled to the novelty
waterfall, and operating the novelty waterfall for a predetermined
time in response to one of removing or placing the item.
A further aspect of the method can further include sensing when a
first switch is one of opened or closed when a user removes or
places the item into the receptacle, and the item is a pen and the
receptacle is a pen holder. Moreover, a novelty waterfall can
operate according to the above-noted method.
Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention
may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the
accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is further described in the detailed
description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of
drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments
of the present invention, in which like reference numerals
represent similar parts throughout the several views of the
drawings, and wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 shows an exemplary side view of the internal components of
the FIG. 1 aspect of present invention;
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary front view of a different aspect of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary circuit diagram according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 shows exemplary logic flow of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes
of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present
invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is
believed to be the most useful and readily understood description
of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention.
In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of
the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the
fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description
taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art
how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in
practice.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the novelty waterfall of the present
invention includes a lower structure 10 that at least forms a base
for the waterfall and also supports an upper structure 12. Water
flows out of a water outlet 15, flows down from the upper structure
12 to the lower structure 10, and will generally flow into one of a
plurality of inlets 11 in a portion of the lower structure 10. The
upper structure 12 and lower structure 10 can be formed of a
poly-resin material, ceramic material, natural rocks, or any
combination thereof. For example, the upper structure 10 and lower
structure 12 may be separately molded in a plurality of parts using
a poly-resin material. Thereafter the plurality of parts are
combined together with, for example, an adhesive. Moreover, natural
rocks 23 can be added to at least one of the upper structure 12 and
lower structure 10 to improve aesthetics (See FIG. 3 (not shown in
FIG. 1)). However, it would be within the spirit and scope of the
present invention to use any material that is both aesthetically
pleasing, strong, and water resistant for use in the upper
structure 12 and lower structure 10.
Moreover, the upper structure 12, as shown in FIG. 1, has a
substantially vertical face below outlet 15. This vertical face can
include a roughened surface for the water to flow down, such that
the water cascading over the roughened surface creates a
waterfall-like effect. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper
structure 12 can include one or more rock shaped structures for the
water to flow across. In such an alternative aspect, the outlet 15
may be formed in one of the rock-shaped structures so that the
water would flow over the rocks to the lower structure 10. With
respect to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, it is further
contemplated that water outlet 15 can be positioned anywhere in the
upper structure 12. For example, outlet 15 can be alternatively
located in an aesthetic arch 21.
The novelty waterfall of the present invention can also include one
or more additional features that will increase the usefulness of
the novelty waterfall. It is contemplated that these additional
features can include any one or more of a business card holder, pen
holder, tape dispenser, stapler, hole punch, telephone, calculator,
paper clip holder, note pad holder, post-it.TM. note holder,
picture frame, and calendar. Of course, it would be within the
scope and spirit of the present invention to use any known office
product for use as the additional feature with the novelty
waterfall of the present invention.
As shown in the exemplary FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower structure 10 is
shown with the additional feature of a pen holder 13. The pen
holder 13 includes a generally cylindrical hole that is shaped to
receive and hold the pen in a manner that would facilitate
retrieval of the pen by a user. The FIGS. 1 and 3 exemplary
embodiments of the invention show that the pen holder 13 as a
separate structure from lower structure 10 that is attached to the
lower structure 10 and having a particular orientation and
positioning. However, it would be within the scope and spirit of
the present invention to have any positioning, orientation, or
location of the pen holder 13 with respect to the waterfall in the
lower structure 10 or upper structure 12.
As shown in the exemplary FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower structure 10 is
also shown with the additional feature of a business card holder
14. The business card holder 14, as shown in FIG. 1, is formed by
an additional structure extending from the lower structure 10. The
business card holder 14 is structured and arranged such that a
plurality of business cards can be held in an upright manner. Of
course, it would be within the scope and spirit of the present
invention to have any positioning, orientation, or location for the
business card holder 14 with respect to the novelty waterfall.
Next, the internal structure of the novelty waterfall will be
discussed in conjunction with FIG. 2. The water flowing out of
outlet 15, flowing down upper structure 12, and into the inlet 11,
will collect in a water collection area 17 within the lower
structure 10. A pump 18 and associated pump motor 24 are located in
the lower structure 10 and are in fluid communication with the
water collection area 17. The pump 18 and pump motor 24, when
operatively powered, force water that has collected in water
collection area 17 into a conduit 16. The conduit 16 extends
vertically from the lower structure 10 to upper structure 12. The
conduit 16 directs water to the top of the upper structure 12 and
is in fluid communication with outlet 15 to allow water to flow out
of the conduit 16 and out of the outlet 15 to create a waterfall
effect across and down the upper structure 12. FIG. 2 furthermore
shows an electronics bay 20. The electronics bay 20 is configured
to house at least one of a controller 20 or a power supply 22 (see
also FIG. 4).
The novelty waterfall of the present invention includes an
operative feature that causes the waterfall to operate when a user
interacts with the waterfall. In particular, when a user uses,
operates, or interacts with one or more of the additional features
that can be included with the novelty waterfall, the novelty
waterfall will operate. The operative feature that causes the
waterfall to operate can be the only manner to operate the novelty
waterfall or alternatively can be one of a plurality of ways to
operate the waterfall.
In one aspect of the present invention, the operative feature that
causes the novelty waterfall to operate is a switch and the
additional feature is the pen holder 13. More specifically, the pen
holder 13 includes a switch SW1 that is positioned in a bottom
portion of the pen holder 13 that can sense the presence of a pen
19. In particular, the switch SW1 is positioned along the
cylindrical opening that holds the pen in the pen holder 13. The
switch SW1 includes an activating lever that extends into the
cylindrical hole of pen holder 13. The lever is biased such that it
maintains a first switch position and when the pen 19 is inserted
into the hole, the pen moves the switch SW1 actuating lever to a
second switch position. In other words, when a pen in positioned in
the pen holder 13, the switch is closed. User interaction of
removing the pen from the pen holder 13 will allow the actuating
lever to move and open the switch and this user interaction will
activate the waterfall. Of course, it should be apparent that the
switch SW1 can alternatively be in the open position with the pen
is in pen holder 13 and biased to a closed position when the pen 19
is removed from the pen holder 13 to operate the novelty waterfall.
Moreover, it should be apparent that the above-noted operation can
also be based on a user placing the pen in the pen holder 12 and
such is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The novelty waterfall also includes a controller that controls the
operation of the novelty waterfall based on the user interaction.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller can be a control
circuit 20 and the operation of the novelty waterfall is controlled
with the control circuit 20 based on sensing user interaction with
the novelty waterfall.
Additionally, the control circuit 20 can include a master switch
SW2 that controls the overall operation of the novelty waterfall.
More specifically, the control circuit 20 will operate based on the
master switch SW2 and based on an input from the operative feature
that is in this aspect of the present invention a sensor switch
SW1.
In one aspect of the invention, the master control switch SW2 can
control the mode of the novelty waterfall to be either completely
"off" when the master switch SW2 is in position two (OFF--center
position of switch SW2 as shown in FIG. 4); "on" to sense user
interaction, when the master switch SW2 is in position one
(ON1--lower position of switch SW2); or continuously "on" when the
master switch SW2 is in position three (ON2--upper position of
switch SW2). The continuously "on" position of the master switch
SW2 allowing the novelty waterfall to operate continuously
regardless of the user interaction.
In a particular aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the
control circuit 20 is shown with a switch SW1 that senses user
interaction and the master switch SW2. The control circuit 20 can
include at least a transistor 26, an integrated circuit 28, a first
resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a first capacitor C1, a second
capacitor C2, a power supply 22, and pump motor 24.
The control circuit 20 and the novelty waterfall are operatively
powered by the power supply 22. The power supply can, in one
aspect, be two 1.5 volt batteries in series. However, it should be
apparent that any number of batteries, a power supply such as 120
volt AC power supply used in conjunction with a transformer and an
AC to DC conversion circuit, or any other power source would be
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The pump 18 can include an integral pump motor 24 or may
alternatively be separate pump 18 and pump motor 24 components that
are functionally connected in order to pump water when power is
provided to the combination. As shown in FIG. 4, the pump motor 24
is connected to the voltage supply 22 and is also connected to the
transistor 26. The transistor 26 is also connected through the
master switch SW2 to the power supply 22 and ground. When the
transistor 26 is powered such that the transistor is switched to
allow current to flow and switch SW2 is in the ON1 position, the
circuit is completed to allow power from power supply 22 to flow
through motor 24 and therefore pump water through the novelty
waterfall. Additionally, the pump motor 24 can include the
capacitor C1 across the pump motor 24 power connections to at least
smooth that power supplied to the pump motor 24.
In the particular aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 4,
the control circuit 20 can be implemented as an integrated circuit
28. The integrated circuit 28 is powered with the power supply 22
with connections to a voltage drain drain VDD and a voltage for
substrate and sources VSS. Moreover, the first resistor R1 can be
connected across the OSC and OSG connections of the integrated
circuit to provide an input to the integrated circuit 28
oscillator.
An output OUT of the integrated circuit 28 can be connected to the
second resistor R2 and the second resistor R2 can be connected to
the base of the transistor 26 to control the operation of the
transistor 26. More specifically, a high output from the output OUT
of the integrated circuit 28 will power the transistor 26 through
resistor R1 and complete the circuit for motor 24 operation as
noted above.
The control circuit 20 can include the second capacitor C2 across
the VDD and VSS connections to provide, for example only, smoothing
of the voltage input to the integrated circuit 28. The control
circuit 20 also includes an input IN. The input IN is connected to
sensor switch SW1. The switch SW1 is in turn connected to the power
source 22 through switch SW2. When switch SW1 is closed, the IN
input of integrated circuit 28 will register the transitional input
in input IN and initiate operation of the novelty waterfall. Of
course, it would be within the scope and spirit of the present
invention to register a transitional input based on switch SW1
opening.
Next, the integrated circuit 28 operation will be discussed in
conjunction with FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, in step S61 the
integrated circuit will monitor input IN to determine when there is
a signal (high or low) indicative of the presence of the additional
feature. In the exemplary aspect of the invention, the additional
feature being a pen 19 in the pen holder 13. When integrated
circuit 28 registers a input at IN, the integrated circuit 28 will
reset the integrated circuit 28 in step S62 and the logic will flow
to step S63. In step S63, the integrated circuit 28 will monitor
input IN for a transitional value. When a user interacts with the
additional feature, the operative feature will cause a transitional
value to be input to IN. In the exemplary aspect of the present
invention, the user removing the pen 19 from the pen holder 13 will
open switch SW1 to create the transitional value. In step S64, the
integrated circuit 28 will output a high signal from the output
OUT. This output will cause transistor 26 to complete the circuit
for pump motor 24 to operate. Step S64 will output the high signal
from OUT for a predetermined time. In this regard, the novelty
waterfall can be powered with the control circuit 20 to operate for
a limited time after user interaction is sensed. In one particular
aspect, the integrated circuit 28 will output the high signal for
60 seconds. However, it is contemplated that any length of
operation would be within the scope and spirit of the present
invention. After outputting the OUT signal, the logic will return
to step S61 in order to again operate as noted above.
In a particular aspect of the present invention, the integrated
circuit 28 can be implemented as a model no. MC3149-313. Moreover,
the first resistor R1 can be 82K.OMEGA., resistor R2 can be 100
.OMEGA., capacitor C1 can be 10,000 F, capacitor C2 can be 1000
.mu.F, transistor 26 can be a model 8050D transistor, and the
switch SW2 can be implemented as a double-pole double-throw switch.
However, it is with the spirit and scope of the present invention
to use any circuit values that will allow the integrated circuit 28
to provide the desired timer operations. Moreover, any integrated
circuit providing timing functions, such as the model 555 timer, is
considered within the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
In another aspect of the present invention, the master switch SW2
is single-pole single-throw switch. In this regard, the control
circuit 20 would control the mode of the novelty waterfall to be
either completely "off" when the master switch SW2 is in position
two (OFF--center position of switch SW2 as shown in FIG. 4) and
"on" to sense user interaction, when the master switch SW2 is in
position one (ON1--lower position of switch SW2). More
specifically, when the master switch SW2 is in the "off" position,
the novelty waterfall will not be powered. However, when the master
switch SW2 is in the "on" position, the novelty waterfall will be
powered when user interaction is sensed as noted above with respect
to FIG. 5. However, in this aspect of the invention there would not
be a ON2 position for switch SW2 and there would not be the
associated connections for the ON2 switch position.
It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely
for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as
limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has
been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is
understood that the words which have been used herein are words of
description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.
Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as
presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope
and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the
present invention has been described herein with reference to
particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention
is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein;
rather, the present invention extends to all functionally
equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *